New Congressional Momentum On Anthrax Preparedness From Key National Security Leaders
Arlington, VA - Arlington, VA - The American Biodefense Action Coalition (ABAC), a coalition of Americans concerned about the threat of biological warfare, today applauded the emerging wave of new Congressional support for H.R. 2707, the Protecting American Families & Servicemembers From Anthrax Act.
ABAC is pleased to note that H.R. 2707 continues to experience a strong show of support from key Congressional leaders engaged in national security and public health issues, including the latest cosponsors:
Rep. Mike Turner, R-OH (Former Chairman, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; Member, House Armed Services Committee)
Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D., R-NC (Co-Chairman, Congressional Doctors Caucus; Member of Health Subcommittee, House Committee on Ways and Means)
Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-CA (Member, House Armed Services Committee; Member of Subcommittee on Global Health, House Foreign Affairs Committee)
Rep. Mark Messmer, R-IN (Member, House Armed Services Committee)
These offices join a growing bipartisan list of other national security and public health-focused Members of Congress in support of H.R. 2707:
Rep. Don Davis, D-NC (Original Sponsor)
Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-VA (Original Cosponsor)
Rep. Jack Bergman, R-MI
Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-NC
Rep. Deborah Ross, D-NC
Rep. Brad Finstad, R-MN
Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-FL
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-PA
Comparable NDAA report language to H.R. 2707, entitled Protecting American Families and Servicemembers From Anthrax as requested by Rep. Davis in the upcoming NDAA, has been endorsed by the For Country Caucus. The For Country Caucus is a bipartisan caucus of 37 military veterans currently serving in the U.S. House, who are engaged in commonsense legislation that bolsters national security and supports military personnel.
BACKGROUND ON ANTHRAX & H.R. 2707
Amid concerns that America’s adversaries, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and terror groups, maintain offensive Anthrax programs, Anthrax holds a Material Threat Determination as designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This risk was noted in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s March 2025 Annual Threat Assessment, describing an increased risk of biological and chemical weapons that may even include a “clandestine attack” against the United States.
Despite the enhanced Anthrax threat, there are concerns that Anthrax countermeasure therapeutics are scheduled to be reduced or eliminated completely in the Strategic National Stockpile starting in FY26, as indicated in the most recently released PHEMCE Multi Year Budget.
President Trump’s January 20th, 2025 Executive Order called on the U.S. Government to “fortify biosecurity,” and any planned cut of Anthrax countermeasures in the Strategic National Stockpile is contrary to the President’s approach. Here’s why it matters: Should this cut remain as planned (the budget and its cut to Anthrax preparedness were originally planned under the prior Administration), the nation’s industrial base for Anthrax therapeutic countermeasures will likely go out-of-business. This would leave the capability permanently lost, rendering the nation highly vulnerable to an Anthrax attack. Stockpile inventories are already significantly below existing requirements, even prior to any planned reduction, and any additional reduction would further cripple preparedness.
Learn more about H.R. 2707 and ABAC at AmericanBiodefense.org.
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The American Biodefense Action Coalition is a tax-exempt 501(c)4 organization dedicated to preparedness for biological threats. Given the risk of biological warfare to the United States, the coalition educates the public on the risk of biological threats and steps needed to deter and prepare for these threats.
Learn more about the Coalition at AmericanBiodefense.org.